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FIRST SNOW. 

When I woke up in the morning, 

Eight months ago, in May, 
The grass was sparkHng with dew-drops — 

It sparkles with frost to-day; 

Then the sun was shining warmly, 

The sky was cloudless blue, 
And the trees in the wood on the hill-top 

Were bright with a sweet green hue. 

Now the trees are barren and leafless, 
And the sky is a dull, bleak grey; 

And a voluble flurry of snow-flakes 
Obscures the world and the day. 



LIFE— A CANDLE. 

Is your life a candle? 

Does it throw its light 
In the darkest corner 

Of another's night? 

Touch a candle that you see 

Burning very low, 
For that means a soul once pure 

Sinking into woe. 

If the candle's light is out 
Touch it just the same, 

For that means it may once more 
Shine again with flame. 

Only never let your light 

Flicker and burn low; 
Keep it bright and brighter 

By helping where you go. 

Keep your candle burning 
That you may light another; 

If you can not help yourself 
Can you help your brother? 



WHAT THE CLOCK SEES AT NIGHT. 

(On the mantel-shelf stand two figures of 
Yeomen of the Guard [Beefeaters], 
a china King of Hearts, and a Miin- 
chener Kinde.) 

When I strike twelve from the mantel-piece 
Each lifeless article has its release 
From the lifeless posture it keeps all day — 
Each acts in its characteristic way. 

The cows in the picture above me moo 

And swish their tails as real cows do, 

The old-fashioned girls by the sideboard 

say: 
"Things surely have changed since our 

young day!" 

The poor children lost in their father's'park 
Do weep, as they moan, "It is getting 

dark!" 
The Beefeaters red on the mantel-piece 

fight 
With the Miinchener Kinde, who is 

getting too bright. 

"You've no bUvSiness to be here with us," 

they say. 
Now your country's at war, you should 

join the fray!" 
"And what about you?" the Munchener 

cries, 
You ought to be fighting with the Allies!" 



At this instant the fat china king joins in — 
"Though we never can feel Hke kith and kin 
Toward the German nation — at least 

let's be 
Polite to one child of Germany." 

Joseph Addison opens his wise brown eyes, 

And looks about him in great surprise. 

"I don't think you argue the way you 
should," 

He says to the king; ''For your coun- 
try's good, 

"Let me inform you, whate'er you say, 
I've been Chancellor in my day: 
The states you now call Germany 
Were friendly with England as they 

could be 
You're a nouveau riche and a regular clown, 
Young Miinchener Kinde — you need taking 
down!" 

The Beefeaters act upon Addison's word, 
The next instant a terrible crash is heard. 
The two little girls, wakened unawares, 
Come rapidly down from their rooms 
upstairs. 

The figures and pictures all silent stand 
As the little girls appear, hand in hand. 
They enter the dining-room, turn on the 

light. 
And there they behold a pitiful sight! 



"Mama's best china Miinchener Kinde!" 
Says the eldest child, "It must be the 

wind! 
The casement window is open wide, 
And the snow blows in on the eastern 

side!" 
To shut the window the children hurry, 
They look outside at the drifting flurry. 

As many pieces as she is able. 

Her friend picks up, and puts on the 

table. 
" 'T is a Chinese puzzle indeed to find 
What part goes where, in the Miinchener 

Kinde!" 

So they leave the pieces and put out the 

light. 
And go upstairs for the rest of the night — 
Or rather, the morning — for I strike "One." 
I'm the only thing neutral! My tale is 

done. 



ALONE WITH NATURE. 

I lay upon the grass one afternoon; 

The grass sloped where I lay , for 'twas a bank. 

O'erhead the blue sky with its white clouds 

stretched ; 
The happy birds were singing as they flew, 
And the bright sun smiled down upon my 

book; 
Alone was I, from all the world away — 
Alone with a great mind ; — (far from my own, 
But his who wrote the book!) Each leaf 

I turned 
With new enthusiasm, till the sun 
Dipped low and lower in his western home. 
Then lengthened shadows fell athwart my 

book, 
So that I might no longer read the words. 
I glanced above — the sun was vanishing ; 
A yellow glow lit up the whole horizon. 
And in the east I saw a pale full moon. 
Pale showed the full moon while the sun 

still shone. 
But later, as I lay on Nature's breast 
With upturned eyes, I saw the yellow fade : 
Then more — and soon the sun quite dis- 
appeared. 
Then twilight came; the day-birds ceased 

their song. 
The chirping cricket sounded fairly near. 
I watched the twilight deepen into night, 
Then, one by one, the jewelled stars 

appeared, 
The Milky Way glowed brightly, while the 

moon 
Shone white against the pall of evening sky. 



THE TELEGRAPH BIRD. 

Have you ever heard 

The Telegraph Bird 
When you're leaning close to the pole? 

The humming note 

Seems down to float 
Like the sigh of a wandering soul. 

He has no look ; 

Indeed, no book 
This bird has ever portrayed. 

If you come near 

His notes to hear 
You need not be afraid, — 

In other words 

There are no birds 
Upon that wooden post ; 

The only sound 

We hear around 
Is a poor mock-bird's ghost! 



IN A GARDEN. 

There lies a lovely garden 
A mile or more from town ; 

Its wee box-trees on either side 
For many years have grown. 

A fountain crystal sparkling 
Is where the sparrows play, 

And near this is a sun-dial 
Which tells the time of day. 

The flowers are abundant 
And brightly bloom they all, 

As well as in the summer 
Some blossom in the fall. 

The chestnuts on the ground lie 
Right underneath their trees; 

Let's gather some together, 
In the pleasant, spicy breeze. 

This is an earthly Paradise, 

And it is really there, 
'T is not just hazy in my mind. 
Like More's Utopia! 
If some day you it wish to see. 
Just motor with my friend and me! 



CLOUDS IN THE MORNING. 

Tranquil the cloud banks lie; 
A winter scene in summer sky. 

The sun shines down 

Till it touches the crown 
Of a cloud peak, and then doth disappear, 
But not for many a month or year ; — 

In another moment the sun bursts forth 

And rises high in the clear blue north. 

CLOUDS AT SUNSET. 

Tranquil the cloud banks lie, 
A winter scene in summer sky. 
A crimson light enfringes them. 
As the red sun sinks it tinges them 
A roseate hue 
Shines the cloud tops through. 



CLOUDS AT NIGHT. 

Still in the sky 
Cloud banks lie. 

Soon I can see 

The moon brightly 
Rise in the black sky. 
The stars shine high, 

And on the seeming snow 

The full moon sheds her glow. 



REST HOUSE. 

(Swansea, Massachusetts.) 

High on a hill at sunrise 

Stands the brick House of Rest. 

To see it at noon is better — 
The hour of sunset is best. 

For the dying pink of the heavens 

Is spread above and around ; 
There are no other houses to hide it, 

Through the meadows there is no sound. 

Then the hour of dusk and twilight 
Steals on, and the lights appear 

Down below in a broad-lying valley, 
Which show that a town is near. 

Rest Acropolis! Always 

Thy guests shall enjoy their stay! 
If they are like me, when the time comes, 

They can hardly be torn away! 



IN UTOPIA. 

In that gay Fairyland there is no school, 
The law of Frolic is its only rule. 
Titania's palace — sloping velvet lawns — 
And bosky glades where fairies ride on 

fawns. 
In one grove stands a tree which, we are 

told, 
Upon the luck-blest pilgrim showers gold. 
Near this tree flows a river which can cure 
Of old age one who drinks its waters pure. 

'T is market day upon the shadowed green ; 
Let's stop and watch — ah, what a pretty 

scene! 
Behind the golden booths are maidens fair, 
In white, with sparkling jewels in their 

hair. 
In one booth may be seen the magic bell. 
Which, when you ring, your marriage doth 

foretell ; 
(If you are not to marry, it rings low!) 
There's target-practice, too, with Cupid's 

bow; 
You send an arrow flying to the heart 
Which marks the centre — and it takes 

some art! 
White wings there are, on which you fly 

away 
O'er hill and dale to where it's always May. 

We see a book about Sir Thomas More, 
Who founded this fair land in days of yore; 
To brave Sir Thomas there's an ancient 
song, 



Which fairies sing in accents clear and 
strong. 

In yonder glen, beneath a spreading tree, 
Others entwine a Maypole in great glee. 
The self-same tinted garment wears each 

fay 
As is the color of her ribbon gay. 
Titania looks on and smiles so bright: 
The fairy sun sheds down her warmest 

light 
Until she falls beneath the tree- tops green, 
And dusky twilight settles on the scene. 
Titania's palace grand bursts forth in light ; 
In the dark sky o'erhead, the gems of night 
Do twinkle brightly; fireflies come out. 
And chatty Mr. Cricket chirps about. 
Here we can understand each word he says : 
He chirps: *'Ah, happy land!" "Most 

joyful days!" 
"To- what, To-whoo!" says the wise even- 
ing owl, 
"Some say I'm not as bright as other fowl. 
But I can show you how I use my mind. 
For this dark evening, on one whiff of wind, 
I'll blow you homeward by a magic spell 
To your far Earth of which we've oft heard 

tell. 
For mortals are permitted but one day 
To see Utopia — then they must away ; 
For other human beings want to come 
To see our land from their far distant home. 
Therefore, adieu! I send you homeward 

bound, — 
When Earth be reached, may greater joy 

be found!" 



The next we knew, a whirring sound was 

heard — 
Not one of us could speak a single word, 
So quickly went we whizzing through the 



air 



And now we feel we never have been there! 



CONCORD REFORMATORY. 

In these brick walls many a lawless son 
To be good and lawful has begun — 
Two stripes and a diamond he has won. 

''While there's life there's hope," so never 

despair, 
E'en though your sin seems beyond repair ; 
Just make up for it by playing fair. 

In your kitchen you work, and you make 

such food 
That all who taste it consider it good. 
And you love your keepers — at least you 

should. 

For they all are doing you a good turn. 
And with every bit of good feeling you 

learn 
Their praise and encouragement you earn. 

When you go out in the world again, 

If saying good-bye to them gives you pain, 

Loyalty has become your gain. 



THE LASS WHO GOT LEFT. 

*'Sweet mother, sweet mother," the young 
girl said, 

"I love you, sweet mother of mine; 
And won't you let me this night to send 

To my lover a valentine?" 

"My daughter, my daughter," Dame 
Falstaff said. 

As she shook her wise, grey head, 
"The merry lass never sends to the lad — 

He sends to the lass instead." 

"Oh, mother, conventionality 

Waxes boring when one loves such ; 

Oh, won't you let me a valentine send 
To him whom I love so much?" 

"My daughter, you'd better go straight to 
bed. 
For it's late, and you are young; 
Though your hair is piled high on your silly 
head. 
You speak with a baby's tongue!" 



WALL-PAPER FACES. 

Shy little, spry little eyes, 
For many years have I seen you! 
There is a difference between you — 

One of the pair looks wise, 
While the other looks vapid and stupid — 

Just like some foolish girls 
Who spend their lives waiting for Cupid! 

While their mind's life never unfurls. 

Shy little, spry little eyes, 
Which shall I follow, the stupid? — 

Or shall I follow the wise. 
And not dream yet of Cupid ? 



VERTIGO. 

One afternoon I lay upon my bed, 
I was not feeling well while there I lay; 
The yellow poppies on my wall to sway 
Began ; the breeze swept all about my head . 

I clasped in sudden fear my white bed- 
stead, 

Then looking back, I saw a meadow green; 

Through the fresh meadow ran a brook 
serene, 

The blinding sun his radiance downward 
shed. 

There blew the yellow poppies of my room 
But were they all there? one, two, three, 

four, five, — 
I could not count them even when alive — 
I heard a voice say "They shall deck thy 

tomb!" 
But I awoke, and felt the summer air, 
And stationary found those poppies fair. 



LADY MOON. 

(The baby speaks.) 

I want to own thee, 

Pretty moon up in the sky; 
Nurse says I cannot, 

For you're up too high. 
Some nice nights you shine so 

Very brightly on my bed. 
Through open window, 

That I turn my head. 

Lady moon, far above me, 
SmiHng on me while I sleep. 

Lady moon, don't you love me? 
At you I must peep. 



(The child speaks.) 

I love to see you 

Lady moon, up in the sky, 
You make a lovely view 

But my bed-time's nigh. 
So good-night, Papa dear. 

And good-night, dear Mamma, 
Good night, bright moon. 

For my friend you are. 

Lady moon, o'er the meadow, 
Lady moon, o'er the sea, 

Looking down from heaven 
On a child like me. 



(The young girl speaks.) 

Singing beneath thee, 

Pretty moon, are girls and boys, 
Would I might bequeath thee 

A more tuneful voice! 
On our boat thou shinest 

As we swiftly skim along, 
Showing us the finest 

Appreciation of song! 

Lady moon, in the heaven 
Shining on the summer sea, 

Our jolly group of seven 
Sings its praise to thee. 



(The bride speaks.) 

How we do love thee. 

Thou, our blessed Honey Moon! 
This is, above me. 

The best night in June. 
For we're so light-hearted. 

Yet so blissful we don't talk. 
We'll no more be parted 

Together we'll walk. 

Lady moon, o'er the mountain 

Shine bright and free. 
Glancing through the bright fountain 

On a bride like me. 



(The woman speaks.) 

Eyes of all ages 

Saw thee as I see thee now, 
'T was questioned by sages, 

When thou shone, and how. 
In thy crowning splendor 

Thou art like the sun by day. 
Yet withal, how tender 

Is thy beaming ray. 

Lady moon, in the heaven 

Trace thy path through the sky 

Waxing and waning 
As each night goes by. 



(The old woman speaks.) 

My dim and failing eye 

Sees thee still, oh, full bright moon, 
But in the dark sky 

I'll not see thee soon. 
For I'm growing older. 

Day by day, bright beaming moon. 
And my age is colder 

Than the age of June. 

Lady moon, o'er the ocean, 

Pray for me e'er I go. 
Lady moon, for my motion 

Grows each day more slow. 



WAR CONTRASTS. 

August, 1914. 

In houses gay of Germany 
A merry jovial company 
Toasts to the future victory 
O'er England, just across the sea. 

1915. 

Britain defiantly doth stand 
With feet firm planted on her land- 
Germany lifts a pleading hand — 
"Bread! let it not be contraband!" 



PIGEONS IN CHURCH. 

In their gentle cooing way 
Pigeons around the house-top play; 
One flew into the church when we started 
to pray! 

He flew to the roof, and all around, 
He explored the church with a cooing sound! 
The congregation nearly laughed out; 
"What can that pigeon be about?" 
A small child piped, and his mother replied 
By pulling him closer to her side — 
Not as a caress, but to keep him still. 
As to have him talk was against her will! 

The pigeon continued to fly about, 

But when a late-comer arrived, he flew out. 



AT THE THEATRE. 

She watches the play with an interest keen, 
She's the prettiest girl at the theatre seen; 
He looks at her features instead of the 

play — 
Which will carry the most away? 



A TRAIN GOING BY. 

While lazily in bed I lie, 

I watch the smoke of a train going by. 

It bursts like a white cloud, obscuring the 

trees, 
And is wafted along on the morning breeze. 



THE SUN THROUGH TREES. 

As through dark churchly glass 
Shines the sun through the trees, 

And the velvet-like grass 
Rustles in the salt breeze. 



ADVICE TO SCHOOLGIRLS. 

A blue wave creeps o'er me 
When I think what's before me 

To learn ; I know not what I ought . 
I blush to myself 
As I look at that shelf 

Full of books — yet my knowledge is 
naught. 

I want to know everything all in one day! 
" 'T is out of the question," my family say. 
'The best students study for many a year, 
But Ignorance makes one shed many a 
tear!" 

When in school the girls fool 
They don't know what they're missing 
By giggling and whispering and foolish 

hand-kissing! 
I've done it myself, but I've learned to re- 
gret it, 
If this verse can advise you, I warn you to 
let it! 



DUTY. 

Duty is what makes happiness, not fun, 
Nor parties gay, nor dresses beautiful; 
For when in school I laugh and do no work, 
Or when I've walked where I am not 

allowed, 
Whate'er I do, where'er I go, my time 
Is dulled by heavy Conscience. When I 

work, 
Then go out in the sunshine with the girls, 
I talk and laugh with a far lighter heart. 
When I return at just the proper time. 
The evening seems so pleasant that I sing. 
For Duty is the only thing that counts! 
If you have done your duty, you'll be glad 
Where'er you are, I think and I believe. 

Duty is often dull while being done, 
But when 'tis o'er great happiness is left. 
For you've accomplished something in the 

world, — 
The idle froth of life has some foundation. 
For what's the fuzz of soda when the taste 
Is absent? 'T is not even worth the sipping, 
Nor is a life of only idle froth. 



Verses 

for 

Ct)iltiren 



A CHILD'S PRAYER. 

Lord Jesus, put Thy hand in mine, 
And walk beside me on the way. 

When Thou are with me, though 'tis night, 
My thoughts are bright and clear as day. 

Lord, teach me to unselfish be. 
To freely give, and freely lend. 

To shun the things that please thee not, 
And be to all the world a friend. 

Once, when Thou wert eclipsed from me, 
Because I had been doing wrong, 

I could not sleep a whole night dark — 
The hours and minutes seemed so long. 

But when I fell upon my knees 
And begged Thee freely to forgive, 

I felt refreshed, for then I knew 

That I with Thee once more did live. 

When Thou art by me naught I fear. 
Though on a dark and lonesome road. 

For thou dost whisper words of peace 
And ease my heart from many a load. 

Thou wilt uphold me all the way, 

For Thou art strong, and I am weak. 

If I am good. Thou wilt be glad 
To have me come Thy help to seek. 

Teach me to be Thy loving child 

And never to be led astray. 
That I may lead some erring souls 

Forever in the purest way. 



A BED OF LARKSPUR. 

A bed of larkspur grew and grew beneath 

the summer sun; 
From each fair flower a pretty elf 
Appeared one by one. 

Susanne was passing by her bed, and 

saying to herself, 
"Its really growing nicely!" — when she 

saw a tiny elf! 

Another elf, another, then another elf she 

saw. 
Then from the other flowers appeared 
Many, many more. 

"Oh," cried Susanne, "What are you here 

for, ugly little men? 
Go straight inside and hide your faces, 
Never come again!" 

They laughed a laugh that echoed all the 

larkspur bed among, 
Then they all stopped, for near the bed 
A sweet, soft song was sung. 

Which louder grew, until it burst 

In glory on the air. 

Then there appeared from the rosebush 

A queen of beauty rare — 

It was Titania! 



THE HOUSE-PIXIE. 

There's a pixie in this house, 
But he's quiet as a mouse, 

And he wouldn't hurt a body for the 
world ; 
But at night-time just take care — 
In your dark room best beware 

Of a Uttle gnome with hair and whiskers 
curled ! 

He's never where there's light 
Even on the darkest night. 

If a candle or a lamp burns in your room 
You will never see the elf. 
But when you are by yourself 

And your room is just as black as any 
tomb — 

Then take care, good lass, take care, 
Of this little gnome beware! 

You had better shut your eyes and go to 
sleep! 
Then he never will seem near. 
But there's very much to fear 

Should you ever take the weest little 
peep! 

In the day-time on the stair. 
Hold your dress up, and beware 

Or he'll grab you from below and throw 
you down; 
You won't see him, but you'll fall. 
Which will not be nice at all — 

You will hardly thank the vicious little 
clown. 



A FAIRY TALE. 

When I was out and round about 
Upon a summer day, 

I chanced to see 

Not far from me 
A tiny, pretty fay. 

"Alas," she said, "I'll soon be dead, 
For Giant Brownie's near. 

Since many an hour 

I'm in his power — 
He'll very soon appear!" 

The Fay spoke right, for soon in sight 
Appeared upon a tree 

None other than 

The Brownie man 
And very brown was he! 

"Beware, oh fay, don't run away. 
There's danger for your soul! 

And, human sir. 

You shall not stir. 
You've reached the Brownie's Goal!" 

"Have I indeed?" said I, "Take heed, 
You wicked little fellow!" 

Then on the spot, 

I Brownie shot — 
He turned from brown to yellow. 

From off the tree the dead Brownie 
Fell; as he fell he crumbled. 

Then he became 

A leaf of Shame 
As in the Fall it tumbled. 



SOME MORE REGRETS. 

My cousin looks before she leaps — 

I leap before I look. 
Would it not be good for me 

If I her warning took? 

My cousin always counts her change 

I plunge it in my purse ; 
When I remember it to count, 

Things change from bad to worse! 

For I have there too little change! 

Yet am too far away 
To wish to walk back to the store — 

I will, some other day. 

About it soon I quite forget. 

Two girl friends come to call. 
I'll treat them all to sodas — 

But there's not enough for all! 

Oh what a bore! I've told them 
I would treat; what shall I do? 

Here is the store — so in we walk — 
I order sodas two. 

I go without my soda. 

Which is always dear to me. 

When we go out, we find the rain 
Is pouring merrily! 

We cannot take a street-car, 
For we have not got the fare. 

As we hurry home my friends 
Scold me for going there. 

So ends one day; I'd better hump 
Unless I want to be a lump! 



A FAIRY VISION. 

While strolling in the glen at night 
I saw a very charming sight; 
Some fairy children played around, 
Hardly making any sound. 

When they saw me, the fairy band 
Said, **Why are you upon our land?" 
"For fun to-night I left my bed. 
To go to Fairyland," I said. 

"We understand; but once you're here, 
You will not get away, we fear! 
For spying on us, we will take 
You captive!" — I began to quake. 

A Brownie from a tall dark tree 
Winked his wicked eye at me, 
And cocked his head, "Wilt have some wine 
All fairy- made? 'T is very fine." 

Now, when I was a younger child, 
I always was most bad and wild, 
So I said, "Yes," then winked my eye. 
And quaffed it down in ecstasy. 

When suddenly I felt a chill 

Run through my veins — it made them 

thrill. 
Then a great heat, and then I slept. 
When I awoke, I loudly wept. 

For on a bank of pins I lay — 
When all at once it moved away. 



It was a fairy porcupine, 

On which the fays made me recline! 

That Fairyland, I soon was taught. 
Was not as charming as I thought. 
I shivered, and I felt less vain; 
But somehow I got home again. 

This taught me never more to stray 
From my dear home so far away. 



THE DIAMOND FAY. 

Have you ever heard of the Diamond Fay? 
You can see her at any time of day 
If the sun is shining upon the water; 
She, and many a Neptune's daughter. 
Are dancing together upon the waves — 
There's a fairy on each that the vast sea 

laves 
When white tidal foam on the wave's top 

floats, 
That means there's a fleet of sea-fairies* 

boats. 



OH, HAPPY LAMB! 

Little lamb with fleece of wool, 
Thou hast never gone to school; 
In the meadows thou dost play. 
With thy brothers all the day. 

When the mists do gather round. 
Thou art by thy mother found 
Nestled soft against her wool, 
When the grass with dew is cool. 

Thou art happy, little lamb, 
But I'd fain be whom I am; 
Though thou knowest how to walk. 
Thou can'st neither think nor talk. 

I've a house to shelter me. 
But a stable shelters thee, 
When the winter's blast is cold, 
And the year is growing old. 

So I'd rather you should be 
What you are, and I'll be me! 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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